The project is going to pot in a handbasket
Posted: September 15, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, handbasket, hell in a handbasket, malaphors, mixed idioms, pot, words 1 CommentThis is a mash up of two similar meaning idioms – “going to pot” (declining or getting worse) and “going to hell in a handbasket” (a situation quickly headed to disaster). My guess is that the speaker did not want to say the word “hell” and so “pot” came to mind. Moreover, my notes indicate this phrase was spoken in the 70s, so it is possible that the speaker indeed had “pot” on his mind….
Let’s do it and listen to how the shoe pinches
Posted: September 14, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, CLOTHING, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, pinches, shoe, words 2 CommentsThis one is a little far-fetched for my taste, but it needs to be posted nonetheless. This is a mix up of “if the shoe fits” (an unflattering remark that is true so should be accepted) and probably “feel the pinch” (having less money), although the speaker may have just been thinking about ill-fitted shoes that pinch the toes and feet. Any other suggestions on this one would be appreciated.
Now we’ve got to flush out the skeleton
Posted: September 12, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, flesh out p, flush out, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 5 CommentsHeard at a meeting 25 years ago, it still plays well today. Actually, this is a fairly common malaphor, as flush is often used for flesh and vice versa. This is a mix-up of “flesh something out” (make something bigger or more detailed) and “flush something out” (to make something more obvious or force something out of hiding).
The white elephant in the room
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, COLORS, PLACES | Tags: blended idioms, elephant, elephant in the room, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, white elephant, words 2 CommentsThis little ditty was spoken at a meeting last week all the way from Afghanistan. It is a mash up of “elephant in the room” (obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed) and “white elephant” (a burdensome possession whose costs outweigh its value). The crackerjack research team at Malaphors HQ (my “ol’ pal”) tells me there are few, if any, elephants in Afghanistan, much less white elephants. Tip of the toque to Jim Washabaugh, loyal malaphor follower, for sending me this gem.
He threw a cold shoulder on the idea
Posted: September 5, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, cold shoulder, cold water, expressioins, malaphors, mixed idioms, snub 1 CommentClassic mix-up of “threw cold water on” (negative about something) and “turn a cold shoulder” (snub someone). Both expressions indicate negativity; “cold water” is negativity toward something and “cold shoulder” negativity toward someone. In this case, perhaps the speaker not only disliked the idea but the person expressing the idea as well?
They were raking him over the ropes
Posted: September 4, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, THINGS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, malaphors, mixed idioms, raking over the coals, ropes, words Leave a commentThis is a mash up of “raking over the coals” (reprimand severely) and “on the ropes” (about to or likely to fail). While both phrases have different meanings, they both describe a bad situation for someone. Also coals and ropes are four letter words and both have the same vowel sounds (assonance) which could have led to the confusion.
She’s flying against the current
Posted: September 3, 2012 Filed under: ACTION | Tags: blended idioms, current, expressions, fly, malaphors, mixed idioms, swim, words Leave a commentI heard this one at a meeting. My guess is that the speaker was thinking of the phrases “swimming against the current” (go against prevailing thought or opinion) and “off to a flying start” (good beginning), both indicating movement. He may also have been thinking of the difficulty flying through wind currents. Then again, as in many blended idiom mix-ups, the speaker probably forgot or did not know the accepted idiom.
He’s feathering his own pockets
Posted: September 2, 2012 Filed under: ANIMALS, CLOTHING | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, feather, malaphors, mixed idioms, nest, pockets, words Leave a commentThis is a mixture of “feathering your own nest” and “lining your pockets”, both sayings meaning making lots of money, sometimes illegally, at the expense of others or disregard for others. This malaphor might be an improvement over both sayings.
I let it roll over my head
Posted: September 1, 2012 Filed under: ACTION, BODY PARTS | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, head, malaphors, mixed idioms, roll over, words Leave a commentThis seems to be a blend of “let it roll off my back” (not to worry about something done or said) and “roll over” (acquiesce to), both indicating passivity. The speaker may have confused the anatomy (back and head) which seems to be common in malaphors. Also the two confused words are four letter words. The phrase “roll with the punches” (go along with the program) also could have been in the subconscious as it is another phrase involving passivity or acquiescence.
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